The Brief Newsletter

DreamWorks acquired the rights to the 1982 children’s book in 2011, though several directors had been attached to the project before Spielberg committed. Melissa Mathison, who wrote Spielberg’s E.T., has written a screenplay.

The book was previously adapted as an animated television movie in the U.K. in 1989. Several of Dahl’s works have also been made into movies, including James and the Giant Peach in 1996; Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory in 1971 (a similarly titled remake starring Johnny Depp premiered in 2005); and The Fantastic Mr. Fox in 2009.